POLITICS
ARAGONES: FREE MRI IN LAGUNA STARTS IN DECEMBER
For the first time, the province of Laguna, under the leadership of the Provincial Government and the initiative of Governor Sol Aragones, will have its own Free MRI starting this December. According Aragones, as part of her goals to be accomplished before the end of the year, the Provincial Government will start providing free MRI…
P7.2T 2027 NAT’L BUDGET GETS HOUSE OK
The House of Representatives approved, on Third and Final Reading, House Bill No. 10858, the proposed ₱7.2-trillion General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes about ₱116 billion in amendments to strengthen essential public services and address the most urgent needs of Filipinos. The House has retained the ₱1.107-trillion education allocation and aligned ₱10.055…
SENATE APPROVES SMART KIDS ACT
The Senate passed on final reading Senate Bill No. 2424, or the “Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act”, which seeks to restrict minors or those below 18 years old from using high-risk digital services like Meta Platforms, Roblox, and Gorebox. The Senate voted 16 – 1, without…
PANGILINAN: DEMAND JUSTICE FOR AGRI SMUGGLING
After exposing a suspected P700-million attempt to smuggle Vietnamese rice into the country, Senator Kiko Pangilinan urged Filipinos to demand justice and accountability for agricultural smuggling, drawing parallels with the flood control scandal, which similarly deprives ordinary Filipinos of resources and protections they are entitled to receive from the government. Pangilinan said that just as…
GOVERNMENT
BIR LAUNCHES PORTAL TO SERVE LARGE TAXPAYERS
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) rolled out the Taxpayer Portal (TP Portal) to Large Taxpayers covered by the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, as implemented by Revenue Regulations No. 8-2024, expanding the Bureau’s digital services to provide taxpayers with a streamlined and centralized platform for managing their tax-related transactions. The availability and rollout…
NEPOMUCENO WANTS A MODERN, EFFICIENT BOC
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno highlighted the agency’s progress in revenue collection, digitalization, and trade facilitation as it continues reforms toward a more efficient and responsive Customs administration. During the recent “Balitaan sa Harbor View” organized by Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association, Nepomuceno reported that the BOC collected more than ₱664 billion against…
ERC GREENLIGHTS MERALCO RATE RESET
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved its Final Determination on the regulatory reset of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for the First Regulatory Period (July 2026 to June 2030) in ERC Case No. 2026-016 RC. The ERC approved a total revenue requirement of around P342 billion for Meralco over the four-year period, P190 billion or…
DEPED KICKS OFF NATIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY WEEK
In a nationwide push to reinforce secure, inclusive, and protective environments for learners, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the official kickoff of the National School Safety Week at Cainta Elementary School. The launch convened key national agencies, local government officials, school administrators, and parents to form a united front to bolster prevention mechanisms against school…
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
WHY COMPASSION BURNS US OUT
Many Filipinos care deeply. We notice who is struggling. We contribute during emergencies. We adjust for family. We help friends quietly. We worry about people we love even when they never ask us to. Compassion comes naturally to many of us. But sometimes, caring becomes exhausting in ways people struggle to admit honestly. Not because…
THE QUIET LEGACY OF RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE
Many people think legacy is something left behind at the end of a life. An inheritance. A property title. A business. Savings passed to the next generation. Something tangible. Something measurable. Something people can point to and say: “Ito ang mga iniwan niya.” And while those things matter, some of the deepest legacies people leave…
THE KIND OF WEALTH THAT CHANGES A HOME
Many people think wealth changes a home through material things. A bigger house. Better appliances. New furniture. More comfortable living conditions. And certainly, these things matter. Comfort matters. Convenience matters. Financial stability matters. But some of the deepest changes money creates inside a home are invisible. They happen emotionally. In the atmosphere. In the conversations…
WHEN YOUR SUCCESS STARTS BENEFITING OTHER PEOPLE
Many people think success becomes meaningful only when it becomes big. A large business. A huge platform. A dramatic achievement everyone can see. Something impressive enough to earn recognition. Something visible enough to prove that you finally made it. But in real life, some of the most meaningful forms of success are much quieter than…
TRAVEL & TOURS
PEACEFUL ESCAPES AND QUIET PLACES TO REFLECT THIS HOLY WEEK
Every Holy Week, there is a quiet pull toward stillness—a desire to step away from the noise of everyday life and enter a space of reflection. This sacred season offers more than tradition; it extends an invitation to pause, breathe deeply, and turn inward. In a world that constantly demands attention and motion, Holy Week…
FAITH ON THE ROAD: A HOLY WEEK PILGRIMAGE
Filipinos hold the Holy Week close to their hearts. It’s not just an observance but a way of professing one’s faith and devotion. One particular tradition that is truly cherished is Visita Iglesia, or the visiting of seven churches to pray and reflect. Each Holy Thursday, families and friends travel across cities, with some even…
NEW IN TOWN: PASIG RIVER ESPLANADE PHASE 3 NOW OPEN!
Looking for a fresh spot to explore this weekend? Good news—Phase 3 of the Pasig River Esplanade is officially open! Now you can stroll along the 600-meter West Showcase Area, linking the newly improved Plaza Mexico, Maestranza Esplanade, and the beautifully restored Fort Santiago Riverwalk (a scenic 305 meters of pure charm). Plus, it’s all…
UP FOR A FUN RIDE WITHIN THE METRO? HOP IN!
Metro Manila is chaotic and can sometimes become stressful to explore—thanks to the heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, and the occasional detour. But for those who can brave these challenges, or perhaps, are already immune to them, the metro can offer an experience that will make any trip worthwhile. Brimming with culture, and food, and a…
FOOD, HEALTH & FITNESS
MANMAN SAI-GON’S LANTERN IN THE CITY’S BUSTLE
Looking for the best Vietnamese Egg Coffee in the Metro? ManMan, we might know where. Viet Nam’s culture has been embedded in the Philippines for decades, as the country became a refuge for many Vietnamese people during the Viet Nam War. From sharing knowledge of crop production to passing down culinary traditions, the two nations…
DRIVE UP YOUR FITNESS GOALS WHILE BEING ONE WITH NATURE
Crowded, noisy, and sometimes utterly chaotic. While most of the people living in the city are already used to these things, there will always be a time when one would simply wish for a free and green space. Perhaps this is why many Filipinos enjoy doing errands or activities in wide and clear spaces, not…
A DRIVE BACK HOME: DISCOVER VINTA MODERN CARINDERIA
When you hear the word “Vinta”, we automatically picture the colorful sails of Mindanao traditional boats. The distinct craftsmanship and movement of every boat serve as an homage to regional culture. At the heart of Quezon City, adjacent to one of the country’s food districts, Tomas Morato, a new restaurant carries the very essence of…
GET READY! MAGINHAWA SUMMER FEST 2025 THIS SATURDAY
This is your sign to answer the call and treat yourself to that long-awaited food crawl along one of the most beloved food districts in the metro. There’s no better time to visit the bustling street than this Saturday as the Maginhawa Food Community takes over the iconic Maginhawa Street in Quezon City on May…
FASHION & BEAUTY
TRP 52 Ovation takes center stage - UP MSS
Tao Rin Pala (TRP) returns in its 52nd year with the theme Ovation to bring together the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) and Philippine General Hospital (PGH) community. Organized by the UP Medical Students’ Society (UP MSS), TRP brings medical students, UPCM faculty, and PGH employees together beyond the walls of the…
MISS BINGOPLUS LUCKY BATS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ED
Fil-Canadian Jasmine Paguio finished as runner-up in the recently concluded Miss Philippines Earth beauty-with-a-cause pageant, but for the BingoPlus community of players, game developers, employees, partner brands, institutions, and beneficiaries, she is their queen. The 23-year-old actress and model who grew up in Canada but returned to the Philippines to seek an acting and pageantry…
FILA, STARBUCKS PARTNER FOR A LIMITED-EDITION LINE
Two classic and iconic brands are partnering to give back to their customers who have remained loyal despite the challenges of the pandemic in the past two years. For a limited run, FILA and Starbucks will give free fashionable and functional items inspired by their iconic hues and logos. The results represent FILA’s red, blue…
Mr. and Ms. JPIA continues legacy
To continue the legacy of Mr. and Ms. JPIA, PUP JPIA Manila announced its search of the event for this year on their Facebook page on November 16, 2021. The event is open to all bonafide students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa branch, which is also a PUP Junior Philippine Institute…
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NET25’S OPINION PAGE ADDS RADIO ANCHOR NELSON LUBAO TO ITS GROWING ROSTER OF COLUMNISTS
Multi-media giant and “alternative mainstream” network NET25 has added Nelson M. Lubao, anchor of the dawn news program Siyento Por Siyento, as its newest voice this month with an opinion piece published on the NET25.com portal on October 8, 2026. The powerhouse network has yet to confirm if Lubao will remain a regular columnist, busy…
ADAMSON OVERCOMES THIRD-QUARTER COLLAPSE TO HAND UE 26TH STRAIGHT LOSS
View Post(opens in a new tab) Adamson University bucked a horrid third quarter to hold off University of the East, 71-64, and extend the Red Warriors’ winless run in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Soaring Falcons, who averaged just 68.75 points in…
UP HOLDS OFF LA SALLE COMEBACK TO SNAP TWO-GAME SKID
University of the Philippines squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead but made the right plays in the clutch to outwit modern-day rival De La Salle University, 80-76, and snap a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Fighting Maroons rediscovered their winning…
LA SALLE TAKES 100TH RIVALRY GAME
The greatest rivalry in Philippine collegiate sports is all even after 100 games in the UAAP. De La Salle University delivered a strong finish to take down rival Ateneo de Manila University, 83-76, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The victory marked the…
ARTS & CULTURE
UST Communication Students Tackle Fast Fashion with Upcycling Reality Show, 'Make and Mend!'
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Entertainment meets environmental activism in Make and Mend!, a lifestyle reality show produced by Junior Communication students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Operating under the student-led M&M Studios, the series serves as the cohort’s second major television project for their CA3288: TV Production course, under the guidance of Asst. Prof.…
Defiance is back for Season 3. It’s Calling on Student Dancers to Defy the Odds
Written by: Isabelle Louise AlanoArtist Connection – Exude Dancers If you’re part of Manila’s student dance community, chances are you’ve heard the name Defiance—and this March, it’s coming back bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Defiance Season 3 returns on March 15, 2026 at the FEU Tech Gymnasium, bringing together student dancers who are ready…
UP Aguman Sets the Stage for Sining 2026
The UP Aguman sets the stage ready for Kapampangan culture, creativity, and contemporary expression as it brings back one of its most highly anticipated annual events, Sining 2026. UP Aguman’s Sining is an arts and talents competition held in Pampanga. This year, it carries the theme “Dásé: Pámanábal ning Makabayangnang Ténákan king Kalalangang Kapampángan,” offering…
Dulaang UP’s Tickets for Upcoming Production Now Live
Written by: Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (with contributions by Lora Kate Batomalaque) Dulaang UP closes their 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?”, with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and our Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman. Written by a former Overseas Filipino Worker…
HOBBIES & ADVOCACIES
PH RED CROSS HONORS LATE QUIRINO GOV. DAX CUA
The Philippine Red Cross held a necrological service in loving memory of Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, honoring his life, public service, and years of support for the humanitarian organization. Cua served as a member of the PRC Board of Governors for 18 years since 2008. During his tenure, the governor stood with the…
PH RED CROSS ON ALERT FOR HABAGAT EMERGENCY AID
As heavy rainfall induced by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) causes flooding and localized landslides across several provinces, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) remained on high alert and on the ground, delivering immediate rescue and welfare support. “Our Red Cross chapters and emergency rescue units are actively responding on the ground—rescuing stranded residents and even pets,…
UP ALCHEMES welcomes new chemical engineering students through Fresh Day and annual Blockhandling program
The University of the Philippines Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students, Inc. (UP ALCHEMES) has officially launched its annual Blockhandling program to welcome the latest batch of freshies, shiftees, and transferees (FSTs) into the UP Diliman Chemical Engineering community. The cornerstone of the transition initiative is the upcoming “Fresh Day,” scheduled on August 8, 2026…
PRC BREAKS GROUND ON PAMPANGA CHAPTER BUILDING
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) marked a significant milestone with the signing of the Deed of Donation and groundbreaking ceremony for the future Pampanga-Angeles City Chapter Building, made possible through the generosity of the Lazatin family, who donated a 300-square-meter parcel of land at Eastgate Commercial Center in San Jose, City of San Fernando. The…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NGA 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM GETS INT’L AWARD
California-based public safety technology company NGA 911 LLC has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact and Service Award by the International Asian American Business Expo (IAABE) in California for bringing world-class emergency response system to the Philippines. Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) is a global leader in emergency communications technology that develops systems to…
UNIFIED 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PASSES HABAGAT TEST
Citizens lauded unified 911 and its superior communication tools as the recent dire weather conditions threatened lives and property during Habagat’s most challenging phase during the weekend and the start of the week. Emergency response calls received by the National Command Center requested for help about rising flood waters that were about to engulf their…
BLEEDING BADLY OR HAVING A STROKE? CALL 911
Traffic and vehicular accidents are the most common reasons why emergency calls are placed to the country’s national hotline, 911. Requests for police assistance or reports about crimes and violent incidents make up the next most numerous calls. Medical emergencies come next, followed by fire incidents. Of these, medical emergencies are the highest priority for…
BFP GETS BOOST FROM 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK
When emergencies and disasters happen, every citizen with a cellphone is now part of the nationwide 911 emergency response network. This is what Fire Superintendent Anthony Royo Arroyo, spokesperson and Chief, Public Information Service of the Bureau of Fire Protection, said regarding the unified 911 system that now accommodates cellular technology. The Next Generation Advanced (NGA)…
